Determining Heartworm in Dogs: Symptoms & Diagnosis

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Section 1: Causes of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Heartworms are thin, yellow and white, resembling noodles. They primarily enter a dog's body through intermediate hosts such as fleas and mosquitoes. When these parasites feed on the dog's blood, they ingest microfilariae, which then develop into infective larvae within the parasites. These larvae are then transferred to the dog's host through the bite of an infected flea or mosquito. The larvae penetrate the dog's skin, eventually making their way to the heart and major blood vessels, where they mature into adult heartworms.

Section 2: Key Clinical Points for Diagnosing and Treating Heartworm Disease

1. Chronic coughing is a common symptom, and dogs may become more exhausted with increased physical activity.

2. As the infection progresses, dogs may exhibit weak pulses, rapid heartbeats, fatigue, liver pain, swelling, edema, and difficulty breathing.

3. Chronic infections can lead to pulmonary heart disease in dogs.

4. In the late stages, dogs may become so weak that they can die from exhaustion.

5. Affected dogs often suffer from itchy nodular skin diseases, characterized by itching and multiple ulcers. These skin nodules are purulent granulomas located around blood vessels, where microfilariae can be found.

Section 3: Preventive Measures Against Heartworm Disease

1. Eradicate Adult Worms: If a dog is already infected with adult heartworms, it is advisable to have them surgically removed at a veterinary clinic. Postsurgery, use mebendazole tablets to eliminate microfilariae.

2. Prevention and Elimination of Intermediate Hosts:

(1) Preventing fleas and mosquitoes is crucial in the control of heartworm disease;

(2) Regularly administer external and internal deworming medications to your dog to prevent infestations.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on heartworm disease in dogs, click here to read more about 'Canine Heartworm'.

This revised text aims to provide a more detailed and readerfriendly explanation of the causes, symptoms, and prevention of heartworm disease in dogs.